Huntsville Man Arrested For Assaulting Ex-In-Law; Burglarizing Church

Huntsville, TN (2011-05-19) After a concerted two-day effort, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department has located and arrested a Huntsville man that has been accused of holding an ex-relative at knife point and vandalizing an area church.

Donnie Hugh Carroll, 34, of Huntsville, who had been on the lam since an altercation with his ex mother-in-law on Sunday, was arrested without incident Thursday afternoon at the Pilot convenience store in Campbell County.

Detective Tommy Silcox and Deputy Tony Kidd, who, along with a host of other deputies had been out actively searching for Carroll, had stopped at the convenience store after having searched the mountains from Scott County into Caryville looking for him.

After hours of combing the backcountry, deputies simply walked up on the unwary suspect. “He was certainly surprised,” stated Chief Deputy Ronnie Phillips. Carroll, who reportedly had extra clothing and personal items with him, may have been trying to get a ride from a trucker to flee the area.

Earlier in the day, Sheriff Mike Cross released Carroll’s description to area media outlets, hoping the public could help his department find the suspect.

Carroll is accused of attacking his ex-mother-in-law with a knife. According to an incident report from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, Carroll allegedly went to the home of his ex-mother-in-law late Sunday night and got into a physical altercation with her. Carroll allegedly held a knife to the victim’s throat and threatened to harm her and her three-year-old grandson. During the struggle, the victim was able to break free of her attacker. She reportedly fled the residence with the toddler and call authorities.

Carroll reportedly fled the scene in the victim’s SUV. Carroll’s vehicle was reportedly found about a mile from the victim’s house and impounded by the Sheriff’s Department. The victim’s vehicle hasn’t been recovered.

In addition to the assault, authorities have also charged Carroll with a burglary at Antioch Baptist Church, which occurred last Saturday. In the burglary, the perpetrator allegedly broke a glass pane covering the church covenant, and stole it, along with a picture of Jesus. A small white jacket was also set ablaze and tossed into a toilet.

Carroll has been charged with aggravated assault (two counts), theft of more than $1,000, burglary and vandalism of over $1,000.